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Deposed Nepal king quits palace
KATHMANDU - Resigned to his fate, Nepal's deposed King Gyanendra left his pink pagoda-roofed palace for the last time on Wednesday, but vowed to stay in the country and work for its people. He swept out of the sprawling Narayanhiti complex in the heart of the capital in a black limousine, driving behind an armed police pick-up, past thousands of onlookers and hundreds of riot police.Three hours earlier, the former monarch had calmly addressed his first-ever press conference, expressing his desire not to go into exile. "I would like to live in my Motherland and contribute in whatever way possible to the greater good of the country and peace in this land," he said. Gyanendra will be allowed to continue his business interests, and is believed to have a substantial fortune in tea, tobacco and casinos. At the press conference, he had seemed composed and often smiled. With the tips of his fingers pressed together, he said he accepted the assembly's verdict and had already handed over the diamond- and ruby-studded crown and a ceremonial sceptre. Posted by: Steve White 2008-06-12 |
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